Choices & Connections An Introduction to Communication

by McCornack, Steven; Ortiz, Joseph

• ISBN13: 9781319043520
• ISBN10: 1319043526
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2016-09-23
• Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's

Summary

Learn to make better choices as your understanding of how you communicate and the outcomes you experience impact your adaptability and chance of a successful interaction with the help of Choices & Connections.

Author Biography

Steven McCornack
Author
Steven is Professor and Basic Course Director in the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama Birmingham.  His scholarly interests include deceptive discourse production and deception detection.  Steven teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on public speaking, interpersonal communication, relational communication, and language/discourse.  He has received several awards for undergraduate teaching excellence, including the Amoco Foundation Excellence in Teaching Award, the Lilly Endowment Teaching Fellowship, and the National Communication Association Donald H. Ecroyd Award for Outstanding Teaching in Higher Education.

 

Joseph Ortiz
Author
Joseph has taught for over 30 years, beginning in 1983 at Clovis Community College (NM). He joined the Scottsdale Community College faculty in 1989, where he teaches courses on human communication, interpersonal and small group communication, and digital storytelling. In support of student learning, Joseph is heavily involved in the use of classroom assessment tools, service learning, collaborative learning methods, and the use of online technology. A campus leader, he has served as chair of the Fine Arts Division, faculty senate president, and interim Associate Dean of Instruction. Joseph is the recipient of peer-nominated outstanding teaching awards at Clovis Community College (formerly Eastern New Mexico University at Clovis) and Scottsdale Community College. Additionally, he has been recognized as a Master Teacher by the National Institute of Staff and Organization Development. Joseph holds a BS degree in Speech from Lamar University (T), an MA in Communication from Eastern New Mexico University, and an Ed D in Higher and Adult Education from Arizona State University.

Table of Contents

PART 1: COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS
1      Introduction to Communication 
        What Is Communication? 
              Defining Communication 
              Why You Communicate 
              Communication Models 
        Studying Communication 
              A Brief History of Communication 
              Types of Communication 
        Communication Competence 
              Understanding Communication Competence 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Competent Conversations 
              Putting Competence into Practice 
        Choices and Connections 
              Communication Choices 
        MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: Time for Payback? 
              Communication Connections 
              Chapter Review

2       Self and Perception  
       The Nature of Self 
              Self-Awareness 
              Self-Concept 
              Self-Esteem 
              Culture, Gender, and Self 
       Presenting Your Self 
              Creating Faces and Masks 
              Losing Face 
             Maintaining Face 
       MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: Distorting Online Self-Presentation 
        Perceiving Others 
             The Perception Process 
             Attributions and Perceptual Errors 
        Forming Impressions 
             Gestalts 
             Algebraic Impressions 
             Stereotypes 
        Improving Your Perception 
             Perception-Checking 
             HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Empathy for a Group Member 
             Empathy 

3      Mediated Communication 
        What Is Mediated Communication? 
             Types of Mediated Communication 
             Functions of Mediated Communication 
             Characteristics of Mediated Communication 
        Self-Presentation and Mediated Communication 
             Creating Your Online Face 
             HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Removing an Embarrassing Post 
             Managing Your Online Face 
        Challenges of Mediated Communication 
             Causes of Mediated Communication Challenges 
        MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: Why Didn’t You at Least Text Me?
             Types of Mediated Communication Challenges 
              Using Mediated Communication Competently 
        CHAPTER REVIEW 

4      Understanding Culture 
        What Is Culture? 
              Culture Defined 
              Co-cultures 
              Ingroups and Outgroups 
              Prejudice 
        Cultural Influences on Communication 
              Individualistic versus Collectivistic Cultures 
              High and Low Context 
              Uncertainty Avoidance 
              Emotion Displays 
              Power Distance 
              Views of Time 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Adapting to Cultural Differences 
        Creating Intercultural Competence 
              World-Mindedness 
        MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: When a Friend Is Different 
              Attributional Complexity 
              Communication Accommodation 
        CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

5      Verbal Communication 
              The Nature of Verbal Communication 
              Language Is Symbolic 
              Language Is Rule Governed  
              Language Conveys Meaning 
              Language and Culture Are Intertwined 
        Verbal Communication Skills 
              Create Understandable Messages 
              Use “I” and “We” Language 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Disagreement with Family 
              Avoid Gender-Based Presumptions 
              Be Mindful of Cultural Differences 
        Verbal Communication Challenges 
              Prejudiced Language 
              Verbal Aggression 
              Deception 
        MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: Protecting a Friend from Harm
              Defamation 
        CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

6      Nonverbal Communication 
        Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication 
              Nonverbal Communication Uses Multiple Channels 
              Nonverbal Communication Conveys More Meaning Than Verbal Communication 
              Nonverbal Communication Blends with Verbal Communication 
              Nonverbal Communication Is Influenced by Gender 
              Nonverbal Communication Is Influenced by Culture 
        Types of Nonverbal Communication 
              Body Movement 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Perceiving Nonverbal Messages 
              Voice 
              Touch 
              Personal Space 
              Appearance 
              Beliefs about Time 
              Environmental Features 
        Functions of Nonverbal Communication 
              Conveying Meaning 
              Expressing Emotion 
              Presenting Self 
              Managing Interactions 
        MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: I Wasn’t Being Sarcastic! 
              Defining Relationships 
        Strengthening Your Nonverbal Communication Skills 
              Enhancing Your Nonverbal Expressiveness 
              Inhibiting Your Nonverbal Behaviors 
              Checking Your Nonverbal Attributions 
        CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

7      Active Listening 
        The Listening Process 
              Stages of the Listening Process 
              Motives for Listening 
              Multitasking and Listening 
         Listening Styles 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: To Multitask or Not, That Is the Question! 
              Four Listening Styles 
              Gender and Listening Styles 
              Culture and Listening Styles 
         Barriers to Active Listening 
              Selective Listening 
              Pseudo-Listening 
              Aggressive Listening 
         Improving Your Active Listening Skills 
              Manage Your Feedback 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Active Listening 
              Adapt Your Listening 
              Recognize the Value of Silence 
         CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

8       Managing Conflict 
         Defining Conflict 
              Conflict Begins with Perception 
              Conflict Involves Clashes between Goals or Actions 
              Conflict Is a Process 
         Selecting an Approach to Conflict 
              Avoidance 
              Accommodation 
              Competition 
              Collaboration 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: I Didn’t Lie! 
         HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Collaboration in a Conflict 
         Conflict Endings 
              Separation 
              Domination 
              Compromise 
              Integrative Agreements 
              Structural Improvements 
         Barriers to Constructive Conflict 
              Attributional Errors 
              Destructive Messages 
              Cultural Differences 
         CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

PART 2: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
9       Principles of Interpersonal Communication
 
         What Is Interpersonal Communication? 
               Interpersonal Communication Is Transactional 
               Interpersonal Communication Is Dynamic 
               Interpersonal Communication Is Relational 
               Interpersonal Communication Is Impactful 
         Why Form Relationships? 
               Proximity 
               Resources 
              Similarity 
              Reciprocal Liking 
              Physical Attractiveness 
         Types of Relationships 
              Romantic Relationships 
              Family Relationships 
              Friendships 
              Workplace Relationships 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: When a Good Friend Changes
         Relationship Stages 
              Coming Together 
              Coming Apart 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Ending a Relationship 
         CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

10     Managing Interpersonal Relationships 
         Self-Disclosure in Relationships 
              Self-Disclosure and Relationship Development 
              Communicating Self-Disclosure 
              Self-Disclosure Skills 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: I Don’t Want to Hear This! 
         Managing Relationship Tensions 
              Openness versus Protection 
              Autonomy versus Connection 
              Novelty versus Predictability 
         Sustaining Your Relationships 
              Relational Maintenance 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Relationship Maintenance at Work
              Supportive Communication 
         CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

PART 3: SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION
11     Small Group Communication 
         Defining Small Groups 
              Characteristics of Small Groups 
              Types of Small Groups 
              Development of Small Groups 
         How Small Groups Communicate 
              Balancing Group Roles 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Social Loafing 
              Building Cohesiveness 
              Establishing Positive Norms 
              Sharing Responsibility 
              Managing Physical Space 
         The Self’s Influence on Small Group Communication 
              Communication Traits 
              Gender 
              Culture 
         Virtual Groups and Teams 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: You’re Not Funny 
              Challenges of Virtual Groups 
              Improving Communication in Virtual Small Groups 
         CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

12     Leadership in Group Communication 
         Perspectives on Leadership 
              Traits View 
              Style View 
              Situational View 
              Functional View 
         Leading with Communication 
              Supporting Gender and Cultural Diversity 
              Creating a Communication Climate 
              Preventing Groupthink 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Handling Complaints 
              Dealing with Conflict 
         Leading Problem Solving 
              Structured Problem Solving 
              Group Brainstorming 
         Leading Decision Making 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: The Bearer of Bad News 
              Decision by Authority 
              Decision by Majority 
              Decision by Consensus 
         Leading Meetings 
              Planning Meetings 
              Conducting Meetings 
              Following Up On/Evaluating Meetings 
         CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

PART 4: PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
13     Preparing Your Speech 
         Preparing Your Speech: Five Steps 
         Choosing Your Speech Topic 
              Identifying Your General Purpose 
              Considering Speech Topics 
              Deciding on Your Topic 
         Analyzing Your Audience 
              Understanding Your Audience 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: Speaking Your Mind 
              Developing Your Audience Analysis 
              Writing Your Specific Purpose Statement 
         Planning Your Research Strategy 
              Identifying Your Information Needs 
              Drawing on Your Personal Knowledge 
              Talking with Librarians 
              Documenting Your Research Findings 
         Conducting Your Research 
              Primary and Secondary Resources 
              Internet Resources 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Oral Citations 
              Library Resources 
              Interpersonal Resources 
              Evaluating Your Resources 
         CHAPTER REVIEW

 

14     Composing Your Speech 
         Developing Your Speech Thesis 
         Identifying and Supporting Your Main Points 
              Identifying Your Main Points 
              Supporting Your Main Points 
         Organizing Your Speech 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: But the Video Went Viral! 
              Selecting an Organizational Pattern 
              Using Connectives  
              Keeping Listeners Engaged 
         Introducing and Concluding Your Speech 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Elevator Speeches 
              Introducing Your Speech 
              Concluding Your Speech 
         Putting It All Together: Speech Outlines 
              Preparation Outline 
              Delivery Outline 
         CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

15     Delivering Your Speech 
         Speech Delivery Modes 
              Impromptu Speaking 
              Manuscript Speaking 
              Extemporaneous Speaking 
         Managing Your Speech Delivery 
              Conveying Immediacy 
              Projecting a Powerful Speech Style 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: This Is How I Talk 
              Managing Your Delivery in Online Speeches 
              Managing Speech Anxiety 
         Choosing and Using Presentation Aids 
              Types of Presentation Aids 
              Tips for Using Presentation Aids 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Delivering a Speech 
         Evaluating Speeches and Managing Feedback 
              Giving Effective Feedback 
              Using Feedback to Improve Your Speech Performance 
         CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

16     Informative Speeches 
         What Is Informative Speaking? 
              Functions of Informative Speeches 
              Specific Purposes for Informative Speeches 
              Informative versus Persuasive Speaking 
         Types of Informative Speeches 
              Expository Presentations 
              Process or Demonstration Presentations 
              Narrative Presentations 
              Comparison/Contrast Presentations 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Responding to Audience Questions
         Guidelines for Informative Speaking 
              Choose a Topic You Care About 
              Capture—and Hold—Your Listeners’ Attention 
              Use Everyday Language 
         MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid 
              Make Your Speech Understandable 
              Help Your Audience Remember Your Message 
         Sample Informative Speech: Social Media, Social Identity, and Social Causes 
         CHAPTER REVIEW 

17     Persuasive Speeches 
         What Is Persuasive Speaking? 
              Types of Persuasive Speeches 
              Audience Analysis for Persuasive Speeches 
         Organizing and Supporting Persuasive Speeches 
              Organizing Persuasive Speeches 
              Reasoning for Persuasive Speeches 
     MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: Do or Die: Using Scare Tactics to Persuade Others 
              Avoiding Fallacies 
         Appealing to Your Audience’s Needs and Emotions 
              Connecting to Your Audience’s Needs 
              Providing Testimony and Stories 
              Using Descriptive Language 
         Guidelines for Persuasive Speaking 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Emotional Appeals 
              Establish Goodwill with Your Audience 
              Keep Your Specific Purpose Realistic 
              Decide How to Present Your Issue 
              Maintain High Ethical Standards 
        Sample Persuasive Speech: Becoming a Socially Conscious Consumer
        CHAPTER REVIEW 

 

APPENDIX     Interviewing 
        What Is Interviewing?  
        Types of Interviews 
              Preparing for an Interview 
        Essential Communication Skills for Interviewing 
              Being an Active Listener 
              Building Rapport and Demonstrating Cooperation 
              Using Mediated Communication during Interviews 
        Information Interviewing 
              Preparing for an Information Interview 
              Managing an Information Interview 
        Employment Selection Interviewing 
              Preparing for an Employment Selection Interview 
        MAKING COMMUNICATION CHOICES: Well . . . to Be Totally Honest with You 
              Managing an Employment Selection Interview 
              HOW TO COMMUNICATE: Managing Stress Questions 
              APPENDIX REVIEW 
Glossary 
Pop Quiz Answers 
References 
Index